Roughly an hour later, the
Air Force struck a rocket launching cell in the northern Gaza Strip in
the same field where the two Grad rockets were fired.

The IDF spokesperson said that the intended targets were hit in the strike.
In a statement, the IDF said it will not tolerate any attempt to harm
Israeli citizens or IDF soldiers and will continue to operate against
any actor or terrorist acting against the State of Israel. The IDF views
Hamas as being solely responsible for all activities in Gaza and for
maintaining quiet in the Strip.

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, an explosive device was detonated as IDF
soldiers passed near the Gaza security fence during a routine operation
and a mortar shell was then fired at the force. No one was injured and
no damage was reported in the attack.

The IDF identified a number of terrorists in the area and directed tank
fire in their direction, confirming a successful hit of their intended
target.

Eleven Palestinians were injured in the IDF strike, including three
members of the Islamic Jihad and three children, according to
Palestinian sources.

In addition to the border skirmish, a total of five mortar shells fired
from Gaza landed in the Sedot Negev Regional Council area on Wednesday.